U.S. senators urge teacher exemption in furlough plan

Friday

Three U.S. senators teamed up in writing a letter to the Secretary of Defense urging him to exempt base teachers from civilian furloughs.

Three U.S. senators teamed up in writing a letter to the Secretary of Defense urging him to exempt base teachers from civilian furloughs.

"Furloughs will harm students and send the wrong message to the men and women who selflessly serve in our military," wrote the Senators in a May 23 letter. "...These individuals are one of the most significant factors in student learning as well as a vital source of stability for military children."

U.S. Senators Kay Hagan, Mark Warner and Kirsten Gillibrand's letter to Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel requests that both teachers and the staff at Department of Defense schools be exempt from civilian furloughs. Currently, teachers, educational aides and support staff in schools run by the Department of Defense Educational Activities will face up to five furlough days.

“When we send our men and women into harm’s way, our responsibility is to provide their dependents with a quality of life that reflects the high standards and pride in the nation they defend," wrote the senators. "Ten years of war has placed an exceptional amount of strain on these families, and we owe it to them to provide the best educational services for their children.”

To read the full letter, click here

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